The Science of Saving the Wild Turkey with Mike Chamberlain 100% WILD Podcast Ep. 467

The Science of Saving the Wild Turkey with Mike Chamberlain | 100% WILD Podcast Ep. 467 In this episode of the 100% WILD Podcast, Matt Drury and Tim Kjellesvik sit down with Dr. Mike Chamberlain, the "Wild Turkey Doc" and NWTF distinguished professor, to address the alarming declines in wild turkey populations across North America. Dr. Chamberlain breaks down the mission of the Wild Turkey Lab, a comprehensive archive designed to turn complex research into actionable data for hunters and land managers. We dive deep into the biological impact of habitat fragmentation, explaining how modern land use has inadvertently created the perfect environment for nest predators like raccoons and opossums to decimate turkey productivity. The conversation takes a tactical turn as we discuss the "reproductive skew" of the wild turkey explaining why all gobblers are not created equal and how selective harvest can influence future poult production. Dr. Chamberlain also shares his personal shift from traditional beads to using red dots on shotguns after a high stakes miss, emphasizing the importance of vision and confidence. From debunking myths about windy days and barometric pressure to exploring the future of state agency regulations, this episode is an essential masterclass for anyone dedicated to the conservation and pursuit of the wild turkey. 00:00:00 – Dr. Mike Chamberlain: 30 years of wild turkey research 00:03:33 – The Wild Turkey Lab: A one-stop shop for turkey data 00:08:43 – Addressing the "call to arms" regarding population declines 00:13:16 – Combatting social media misinformation with peer-reviewed science 00:14:39 – Why predators are getting more efficient 00:20:38 – Balancing biology vs. politics 00:27:41 – The future of turkey hunting funding 00:33:00 – Why Dr. Chamberlain made the switch to use a red dot. 00:38:17 – How birds originally crossed state lines 00:41:52 – Why peak numbers are in the past 00:48:21 – Prioritizing early successional habitat 00:53:29 – Should you shoot the dominant tom? 01:05:08 – Rapid fire myth-busting with the Doc 01:13:38 – Where to follow Dr. Mike Chamberlain & Wild Turkey DNA Join the Rack Pack Facebook Group :/ n73gskjt7bfb2ngc Get ahead of your Game with DeerCast available on iOS and Android devices App Store: Play Store: Don't forget to stock up for your next hunt! 1st Phorm has you covered! Protein Sticks: . Level-1 Bars: . Energy Drinks: . Hydration Sticks: . Send us a voice message on Speakpipe! . For exciting updates on what's happening on the field and off,

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The Science of Saving the Wild Turkey with Mike Chamberlain 100% WILD Podcast Ep. 467 is an episode from Drury Outdoors 100% Wild Podcast by Tim Kjellesvik.

This episode is 01:14:40 long.

This episode was published on Apr 1, 2026.

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